Trailer orders surge in April, but still down year over

Trailer orders in the month of April leapt 29 percent from the number of orders placed in March in a stronger surge than to be expected by seasonal changes, according to numbers released this week by ACT Research. Compared to the same month last year, though, orders were down 10 percent.

“The order activity seen in April is normally expected in March; the commitment delay is an indication of the overarching caution regarding investment commitments by the fleets,” said Frank Maly, director of commercial vehicle transportation with ACT Research. “Concerns over a sluggish economy, lackluster fleet profitability, and credit availability have been the major factors impacting trailer order timing the past few months. Additionally, the pullback in energy investment has specifically impeded the specialty trailer segment.”